Bulldogs Host Western Carolina in Home Opener

THE MATCHUP
Teams: Asheville (1-1, 0-0 BSC)

Western Carolina (0-3, 0-0 SOCON)

Location: Kimmel Arena / Asheville, NC.

Time: Friday, November 18, 7:00 p.m.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. –The UNC Asheville Bulldogs return to Kimmel Arena for their home opener to face off with the Western Carolina Catamounts on Friday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 77-63 victory over UNC Greensboro on Monday. Asheville went 30-of-55 for 54 percent shooting against the Spartans.

NOTABLES

Bulldogs: The Bulldog offense was paced by Tianna Knuckles career-high 25 points. On the season, the Bulldogs are shooting 45 percent and out-rebounding opponents 70-64

Dogs versus Cats: Big South Player of the Week KJ Weaver will go head to head with Southern Conference Player of the Week Sherae Bonner.

Bonner posted a double-double in the Catamounts' 78-63 loss at Clemson on Sunday and set a career-high 23 points to lead all scorers. The Whitesburg, Ga., native also grabbed a game-high 19 rebounds and was the only player to see double-digit rebounds. Bonner went 9-of-17 (.529) from the field, made all five free throw attempts and added two blocked shots in the Catamounts' season opener.

Weaver was a rebound shy of a double-double in UNC Asheville's setback to ACC opponent, Virginia Tech, on Friday. The center dropped in 15 points on 6-for-10 from the field and also corralled nine rebounds to pace the Bulldogs in both categories. Her first 10 points came in the first half when Asheville held a 30-26 advantage after the opening 20 minutes.

In their last meeting, the Bulldogs claimed a 67-45 victory in Cullowhee, November 24, 2015.

Scouting Western Carolina: The Catamounts are coming off a 84-72 loss to UT Martin (1-2) on Wednesday. Raziyah Farrington led all scorers with 16 points. Two other Catamounts scored in double figures including Tess Harris (14 points) and Sherae Bonner (12 points).

QUOTABLES
"We are excited to be back in Kimmel Arena for our home opener against Western Carolina. This is a cherished mountain rivalry and I am sure that tomorrow's game will be as billed; very competitive and fun for fans to be a part of. We have been focusing on some specific goals for our team and becoming more aware of shot selection and valuing possession on offense and playing gritty on the defensive end. Although pleased with the outcome of our last game at UNCG, I thought we could have done a much better job in the turnover column as well as the defensive end. It's a process and every game is a learning experience for this team. Tomorrow night will be a tough match-up and we are looking forward to it."

—Head Coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick

UP NEXT

The Bulldogs will be back in action against Tennessee Tech on Friday, November 25 at 3:00 p.m. in Kimmel Arena.